Remember who gives our freedoms

Published: Saturday, June 12, 2010 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, June 12, 2010 at 1:45 a.m.

We recently celebrated Memorial Day, a day when we remember and honor those men and women who have died in service to our country.

Sadly, Memorial Day has become a three-day weekend holiday and the reason for it has been forgotten. A resolution was passed in December 2000 that calls for a national moment of remembrance asking that at 3 p.m. local time, all Americans stop whatever they are doing and observe in some way a moment of remembrance and respect to honor those who have given their lives in service to their country. Via e-mail, I received the following from a friend:

It is the veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to assemble.

It is the veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.

It is the veteran who salutes the flag, serves under the flag and goes to his or her eternal rest under the flag.

<p>We recently celebrated Memorial Day, a day when we remember and honor those men and women who have died in service to our country.</p><p>Sadly, Memorial Day has become a three-day weekend holiday and the reason for it has been forgotten. A resolution was passed in December 2000 that calls for a national moment of remembrance asking that at 3 p.m. local time, all Americans stop whatever they are doing and observe in some way a moment of remembrance and respect to honor those who have given their lives in service to their country. Via e-mail, I received the following from a friend:</p><p>It is the veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.</p><p>It is the veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.</p><p>It is the veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.</p><p>It is the veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to assemble.</p><p>It is the veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.</p><p>It is the veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.</p><p>It is the veteran who salutes the flag, serves under the flag and goes to his or her eternal rest under the flag.</p><p>I hope you took time on Memorial Day to remember that.</p><p>A grateful American,</p><p>Sybil Guidry</p><p>Houma</p>